Halkbank ANKARA is looking for a semi-final in Europe

HalkbankANKARA, the only Turkish men's team continuing its way in the CEV Champions League, will face Poland's PGE Projekt WARSZAWA team in the first match of the quarterfinals.

Czechian Jan Krticka and Latvian Salvis Kurtiss referee duo will manage the competition to be played at the TVF Ziraatbankkart Volleyball Hall. The match will start at 18:00.

The capital representative, who has won the right to compete in the quarterfinals for the third time in a row, aims to take part in the final four to be held on May 17-18 by eliminating their opponent.

"It’s tough, but not impossible"

Before the match, we had a conversation with Sercan Yüksel Bidak, the only volleyball player in Türkiye (and maybe even in Europe) with a chef’s certificate. Bidak made a traditional Turkish dish called ‘Menemen.’ The interview in the kitchen of Volley Hotel Ankara turned into an interesting moment.

While preparing the Menemen, Yüksel Bidak shared his thoughts on the quarter-final match.

Bidak, whose father also worked as a chef in major hotels, said they were aware that they were going to play against a very strong team and had prepared accordingly.

“We’ve worked really hard,” said Yüksel Bidak. “In the previous round, we eliminated the Italian team. But this is not an indication of anything. If we don’t perform on the court, none of it will matter. Also, I personally think that Polish teams are tougher opponents. Playing against them won’t be easy. But we’ve worked hard to get to this level, we’ve put in a lot of effort. We’re a good team, we believe in ourselves, but everything will be decided on the court.”

Bidak mentioned that cooking was a passion of his and that he developed his skills in the kitchen alongside volleyball. "Cooking is a great way to relax after volleyball. I enjoy spending time in the kitchen to relieve stress," he added.

In a tense moment before such a match, cooking truly helps him find a different kind of relaxation. He also noted that the culinary knowledge he learned from his father made the process even more enjoyable. Yüksel Bidak said that these kinds of interviews and cooking moments help him stay both physically and mentally prepared.

No matter what happens after the match, Bidak emphasized that as a team, they would stick together and do their best. He pointed out that volleyball is not just a physical game, but a mental one as well. Therefore, their preparation was not just on the court, but also mentally.

Bidak’s demeanor and his relaxed attitude while cooking show that life is about finding balance, not only in volleyball but in everything. It’s also about dealing with stress and staying centered.

President Mehmet Akif Üsündağ also liked it

After Iftar, Turkish Volleyball Federation President Mr. Mehmet Akif Üstündağ also tasted the dish prepared by Sercan Yüksel Bidak. Regarding the PGE Projekt WARSZAWA match, President Ustundag said, “First of all, thank you to Yüksel for the meal. I believe that Halkbank will pass this round and make it to the Final Four. Because I think the Milan team they eliminated in the previous round was not less stronge compared to Warsaw Team. I wish them success.”